When the war ended, Levana's 10-year-old son was suffering from trauma, and Levana needed to get her business back on its feet. She heard about the Jewish Agency's grant for small businesses and immediately applied.

A week later her daughter screamed from the mailbox that a check from the Jewish Agency arrived. Levana received approximately $1000 which she is using to rebuild her business.

"I cried when I read the accompanying letter explaining that the money was donated from Jews living in the US. There are such good people in this world," says Levana.

"I told all my clients about the letter and the check. They all thought I was talking about a loan. They could not believe that it was a grant that I didn't have to repay."

Some 2,600 small business owners like Levana, who suffered severe financial setbacks as a result of the war, are receiving emergency funds from the Jewish Agency. These funds are part of the Jewish Agency's comprehensive plan to rebuild the Galilee and put every resident of the North on the road to recovery.

Photo Credit: Naftali Hilger

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